Bastard balm
Melittis melissophyllum
Family: Lamiaceae
What it is like
A herb. An upright plant that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 50 cm tall. The stems are hairy. The leaves are oval and 5-8 cm long. They have blunt teeth. There are a few bell shaped flowers in a ring. They are cream and pink.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Balkans, Britain, Bosnia, Europe, Hungary, Italy, Mediterranean, Poland, Slovenia
How it is used for food
The leaves are occasionally use to make a drink. They have been used as a famine food.
A famine food.
Edible parts
Leaves - drink, flowers
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Mecsekhati tea, Mecseki-teja, Medenika, Navadna medenika